Bufflehead
Bucephala albeola
Aves › Anseriformes › Anatidae › Bucephala
Conservation status: least_concern
The bufflehead is a small sea duck of the genus Bucephala, the goldeneyes. It breeds in Alaska and Canada and migrates in winter to southern North America. This species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his landmark 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae as Anas albeola.
How To Identify
This medium-sized waterfowl is characterized by its slate-blue plumage and distinctively shaped bill. Males feature a prominent, ornamental casque—a visible knob on top of the beak—which serves as both a structural and visual identifier.
Habitat
Buffleheads inhabit freshwater lakes, ponds, and coastal bays, preferring areas with clear water for diving to find food.
Behaviour
They are skilled divers that plunge underwater to hunt for small fish, aquatic invertebrates, and crustaceans, often diving for just a few seconds at a time.
Native Range
The Bufflehead is native to Alaska and Canada.
Did You Know?
Buffleheads are the smallest diving duck in North America and can take off vertically from the water like tiny helicopters. Males perform elaborate head-pumping displays with their iridescent purple-and-green heads to attract mates.
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